A campaign to encourage people to shop locally to boost small, independently-run firms has been launched by Cato Cooper, co-owner of The Emporium, Wellington.

Cato’s campaign hopes the town’s independent retailers will display a ‘Buy Local’ poster in their windows to support each other and to let shoppers know that when they buy from them their money will be staying in the local area.

Cato Cooper, Co-owner of The Emporium Somerset, which includes more than 50 different shops across three floors, said: “We recently encouraged shoppers to think more about buying locally, but we also want to get other businesses in the area on board too, so we’ve created some posters that other shops are welcome to display in their windows as part of the ‘Buy Local’ campaign.

“The posters will let shoppers know which outlets are independently owned and need their support.

“We’re also starting the hashtag #BuyLocalWellington on social media that other shops are welcome to use and we will share and re-tweet where we can.

“We are just one of many small businesses in the Wellington area that benefit from shoppers choosing to buy locally instead of at big supermarkets or high street stores. We know that other shop and business owners in the area are all about community spirit so we hope lots of them get involved in the campaign all support each other.”

The posters are available from The Emporium Somerset or can be downloaded from http://www.theemporiumsomerset.co.uk.